Change of heart as AK, athletes’ impasse is addressed

Athletics Kenya’s (AK) scheduled trials for the 13th African Games were temporarily halted following a boycott by athletes who felt short-changed by a decision to have only one representative per discipline at the upcoming games.

Set for 5 and 6 March at Nyayo National Stadium, action, initially planned to get underway at 9 am, was delayed by more than six hours as a solution was sought.

Social media reports indicate that Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), Kenya Prisons, and Kenya Police athletes were, at some point, mandated by ‘orders from above’ to step on the track.

“We note that a number of them (athletes) expressed their concerns relating to a limited number of available slots for athletes to be selected. The morning session was delayed as we sought to address the issue. We are pleased to note that following AK's consultation with the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, the number of slots available shall be increased subject to the athletes meeting the qualification criteria for the games. AK technical team will work closely with the athletes during the trials to achieve the objective of selecting team Kenya as required,” AK’s statement read in part.

With the statement leaving things vague about whether the slots will increase from one to three as is the norm, it remains to be seen what action will be taken ahead of the team’s travel.

Trouble started when athletes were summoned to the call room shortly after the technical meeting at 9 am. They instead matched to the starting line and sat on the track in protest.

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Athletes like Commonwealth Games 800m champion Wycliffe Kinyamal explained that the criteria was unfair as it discouraged the younger ones.

“I wouldn’t mind giving my slot to a young athlete but let’s be fair with the selection criteria,” Kinyamal said.

The athletes further lamented over the short notice, noting that their efforts in training were put to waste.

"Kenya National Sports Council want to kill talent. We should have been told of the changes early enough so that some of us could focus on other things," one of the athletes’ representatives Monica Safania said. 

Addressing the athletes on behalf of the Kenya National Sports Council (KNSC) Andrew Mudibo called on the athletes to draft a petition stating their concerns and present it to AK.

“Afterwards, they (AK) will present it to us and then we will present it to the government to see what can be done,” Mudibo, in an earlier interview said.